Dimensions
135 x 216 x 19mm
The first major study of the work of the great classical tragedian for thirty years, this book takes a thematic approach to Euripides' plays, providing a wide-ranging and thorough appreciation of his entire canon.
The work of Euripides remains a staple of drama and literature courses. For students, teachers and actors, this is the best single-volume treatment of his work, considering the plays for their accessibility and their focus on issues and concerns that are as significant as ever in the modern world. Divided into three sections, the book first examines 'Domesticating Tragedy', the manner in which Euripides gave the world of myth an application to ordinary life. The second tackles the 'Grand Passions', characters under extraordinary pressure and the extent to which personal responsibility can be absolved through various aspects of circumstance. The third looks at the nature of Euripides' theatre, the great roles and the playwrights of the last hundred years whose craft seems most influenced by his work. An Appendix provides a short summary of the plots of all nineteen plays.